The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Srinagar, has registered an FIR against several officials and private beneficiaries following a Joint Surprise Check and subsequent verification into allegations of unauthorised construction and encroachment in the Rajbagh area of Srinagar.
According to the ACB, FIR No. 10/2026 has been registered after the verification found alleged irregularities in the construction of a multi-storey building in the flood basin/fringe area of River Jhelum.
The verification reportedly revealed serious violations in the grant and subsequent modification of building permissions. Officials allegedly permitted substantial changes in the sanctioned structure, including an increase in the plinth area and building height, without obtaining mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the concerned departments.
The probe further revealed alleged encroachment of around 2.9 Kanals of State/Kahcharai land, besides construction over drainage infrastructure and within the prohibited river-fringe area.
The ACB has named then Senior Town Planner, SDA Muneer Ahmad Khan; then Joint Commissioner Planning, SMC R.K. Tutoo; then In-charge Assistant Town Planner, SMC Ulfat Jan, along with other concerned officials and beneficiaries Gulzar Ahmad Sheikh and Parveena Akhter in the case.
The accused officials and beneficiaries have been booked for alleged abuse of official position, criminal conspiracy and facilitating unauthorised construction and encroachment.
The case has been registered under Section 5(1)(d) read with Section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act Svt. 2006, along with Sections 447-A, 468 and 120 RPC, besides other applicable provisions.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau said that further investigation in the case is underway.(KNC)
